§528. Clauses of Proviso

Dum, modo, dummodo, and tantum ut, introducing a Proviso, take the Subjunctive. The negative with these particles is nē:

• ōderint dum metuant (Off. 1.97), let them hate, if only they fear.
• valētūdō modo bona sit (Brut. 64), provided the health be good.
• dummodo inter mē atque tē mūrus intersit (Cat. 1.10), provided only the wall (of the city) is between us.
• tantum ut sciant (Att. 16.11.1), provided only they know.
• modo nē sit ex pecudum genere (Off. 1.105), provided [in pleasure] he be not of the herd of cattle.
• id faciat saepe, dum nē lassus fīat (Cato R. R. 5.4), let him do this often, provided he does not get tired.
• dummodo ea (sevēritās) nē variētur (Q. Fr. 1.1.20), provided only it (strictness) be not allowed to swerve.
• tantum nē noceat (Ov. M. 9.21), only let it do no harm.

a. The Hortatory Subjunctive without a particle sometimes expresses a proviso:—

• sint Maecēnātēs, nōn deerunt Marōnēs (Mart. 8.56.5 ), so there be Mœcenases, Virgils will not be lacking.

b. The Subjunctive with ut (negative nē) is sometimes used to denote a proviso, usually with ita in the main clause:—

• probāta condiciō est, sed ita ut ille praesidia dēdūceret (Att. 7.14.1), the terms were approved, but only on condition that he should withdraw the garrisons.

For a clause of Characteristic expressing Proviso, see § 535. d.